"There is an idea abroad among moral people that they should make their neighbors good. One person I have to make good: Myself. But my duty to my neighbor is much more nearly expressed by saying that I have to make him happy if I may"
- Robert Louis Stevenson
About this Quote
This quote by Robert Louis Stevenson speaks to the idea that we need to make every effort to make our neighbors delighted, rather than attempting to make them good. He recommends that our duty to our next-door neighbors is to make them happy, rather than attempting to change them. He also highlights the value of self-improvement, keeping in mind that we need to focus on making ourselves good before attempting to make others great. This quote encourages us to consider how our actions can favorably affect the lives of those around us, and to strive to make our neighbors delighted. It likewise reminds us that we should focus on our own individual development and development before attempting to alter the behavior of others. Eventually, this quote motivates us to be conscious of our actions and to aim to make our next-door neighbors delighted, rather than attempting to make them excellent.